The State of Oklahoma has a proud military heritage
and prides itself on honoring and supporting the men and women
of the armed forces. On Tuesday, the State Senate praised the
Silver Star Families of America, with the passage of Senate
Resolution 29, for their efforts in honoring those who have
been injured or wounded in the defense of their country.

"Oklahoma has always supported and honored the men and
women in the U.S. Armed Forces and the sacrifices they make
for each and every one of us," said Barrington, R-Lawton.
"But today we also wanted to honor an organization that
goes above and beyond in honoring those soldiers who are hurt
in battle.”

Silver Star Families is a not-for-profit, all volunteer organization
founded for the purpose of establishing a Service Flag to honor
wounded military men and women. The organization also provides
assistance and support to these soldiers and their families.

“It’s hard to lose a loved one, but it can be just
as hard for families whose loved ones have been physically or
emotionally injured during a war, especially if their injury
keeps them from working. This can lead to further emotional
stress and a tremendous financial burden for the family,”
said Barrington. “I’m so proud of this organization
for bringing these situations to light and helping the public
better understand what these families go through.”

The Silver Star Families of America was founded on April 11,
2005. The tradition of the Silver Star for the wounded dates
back to 1917 when people would sew silver thread over Blue Stars
to signify wounded soldiers. To date the organization has freely
donated hundreds of Silver Star Banners to wounded American
military personnel from all wars and their families. The group
also provides these soldiers and families with Silver Star Flags
and care packages delivered to military and veterans’
hospitals, nursing homes, and combat support hospitals in Iraq.

“The mission of the Silver Star Families is to assure
that whenever someone sees a Silver Star Banner in a window
or a Silver Star Flag flying, that person will remember, and
never forget, the blood that has been sacrificed by so many
of our brave men and women, because freedom is not free!”
said Barrington.

The resolution also designates May 1, 2007 as “Silver
Star Day” in Oklahoma in recognition of the wounded military
personnel of this state.